Adventures, Mishaps, and unfortunate choices while camping

Ray and I were once campers.  We hiked, backpacked, and “roughed it” through a large portion of the US National parks.  We’ve been to the Grand Canyon, Vandelier National park, Shenandoah National Park, Great Smokey Mountains National Park, Montezuma National Park, Acadia National Park, and other places like Sedona and Havasouix Falls in Arizona  and Niagara Falls in Canada.  I mean we were movers and shakers.

We’ve camped at hot springs, ran from rattle snakes, and once chased a bear into the woods (until the park ranger came and reminded us how DUMB that decision was.)  But we have not camped since the summer when the twins were infants – and even that camping trip was laden with mishaps.  It was cut short due to high winds and flooding waters.  We grabbed everything, including 2 screaming children, and loaded up the van in about 10 minutes flat.. and drove home in the evening hours because there was no way we would all have survived.

Anywho… we were invited to go camping this weekend.  yay!  With no kids… YAYAYAYAY!  I love my kids, but so needed a moment away.  We camped for one night.
In this:


Now… notice the spacial relationship between things.  Our tent is actually about the height of a chair.  It is not that far away from all the other tents.  It is a baby tent – you can’t stand upright in it.

See… Peewee tent.


And yet, because we are maniacs… we still needed this:


The minivan – loaded to the hilt – with the turtle on top.  For one night of camping.  In that small tent.

I’m ashamed, to be honest.  That we are so far removed from “roughing it” that I still slept with my Blackberry and I’m writing this blog post from the car on the way home.  What in the world have we turned into?!?

The campsite that we stayed at did have bathroom facilities.  (remember… I once hiked 10 miles strait down into waterfalls without a bathroom in sight.  I showered with biodegradable shampoo and conditioner in lakes and streams.) 

But this almost threw me over the edge.


Notice – there is no “flushing apparatus.”  Yes, just a hole in the ground, some TP, and you. 
Completely . Utterly. Disgusting.  I almost threw up.  The smell alone… was enough to send you crying to your mom.  When you add the flies and other bugs that swarmed around there – you definitely ended up with an urge to run for cover.






It honestly led me to think about this….

But, obviously, I wasn’t the first person who’s thought of “borrowing” a roll of TP and sticking to nature’s own  lavatory – the great outdoors.  They thwarted me! A lock!  (This blog does not endorse theft or the “borrowing” of any items in any way…. Unless you had to potty at this place.  Ever.)

Other than the stinky, fly infested bathroom and the realization that we are not as “tough” as we once were – it was a great trip.  There is nothing like “forever friends” to make you laugh just when you need it.

Plus… I can always find comfort in the fact that this wasn’t us…

 
Have a great weekend.  Take a few minutes to catch up on your reading of our beach adventures and other randomness these past few weeks.